Georgina Price and her fiance Christopher Lardner adopted their first rescue cat but unfortunately, just five months after the adoption Herbie, the senior feline passed away at the age of 16.
The couple was devastated after losing the cat and Georgina and Christopher both found their home in Stroud, England. “I just kept thinking about all the animals that might only have five months left and would spend the whole of that time in a shelter,” remembers Georgina, “so we decided we would look for an extra special cat that might take a little longer to find a home.”
In October 2018, Georgina came through Toby and Quinton, a pair of bonded cats who needed to find a home together. “I saw them on the RSPCA website and fell in love with their sweet little faces, said Georgina.
Georgina told Bored Panda: “They’re a bonded pair, the RSPCA advertised them together. And we thought if we can help two cats rather than one, then that’s the best possible outcome.”
Quinton, a 7-year-old fluffy black and white cat, had no teeth, while Toby, a 6-year-old short-haired cat, had very saggy skin.
Georgina got to know that Toby had been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), or feline cutaneous asthenia (FCA), a congenital condition that causes people and animals to have unusually stretchy, loose, and fragile skin due to a lack of collagen.point 445 |
“We’d never heard of EDS before we found him, we just knew that he needed a loving home and we have so much love to give,” explains Georgina.point 120 | point 120 | 1
Georgina and Christopher went to the RSPCA where the cats were living. “They were both terrified and huddled right at the back,” remembers Georgina. “Toby just hid behind Quinton the whole time, trembling.”
She was able to pet Quinton but couldn’t touch Toby as he was so scared. However, Georgina and Christopher were confident that they are ready to take care of both the pets and they adopted Toby and his brother Quinton.
“Toby and Quinton are inseparable and Quinton tries to clean up Toby’s face when possible,” says Georgina, “and when they play, Quinton knows to keep his claws retracted.”
Toby loves bird watching, playing with bouncy balls, and snuggling with his parents. “He loves belly rubs and will plop himself next to you and look at you, waiting for you to rub his belly,” says Georgina.
“EDS can cause joint problems and the excess weight of his skin makes us think that he will have problems in later life,” explains Georgina.
“It doesn’t take anymore to love them,” says Georgina, “And despite whatever it is that may make them ‘special needs’ they are still beautiful animals with their own amazing personalities, likes, dislikes, and the ability to love you back.”
“I get a warm feeling thinking that I get to go home to them every night,” says Georgina. “They’re a part of our family and we really couldn’t imagine life without them.”